Why Driveways Crack And The Importance Of Crack Repair

When you have a driveway that is beginning to crack, there are a number of reasons to get those cracks repaired. The cause of the cracking can be driveway age, weather extremes, and even heavy traffic on the surface. If you ignore the cracks, water can seep through and get under the surface. If the weather turns cold, this water can freeze, causing further damage to your property. Grass and weeds can begin to grow in the cracks, further expanding them. To improve the longevity of your driveway, cracks should be filled as soon as they are discovered.

Excessive or Heavy Traffic On Your Driveway

Even if your driveway is relatively new, it can get cracked if there is a lot of traffic on your driveway. In addition, you may see cracks if a large commercial truck is on your driveway for any length of time, as these are often too heavy for a residential driveway. If you notice cracks from heavy traffic, they will need to be filled in as soon as possible. When your driveway is not showing signs of age, damage to it should be fixed right away so that you can keep it working properly.

Your Driveway Is Getting Old

When your asphalt driveway has been installed properly, it can last close to thirty years. If your driveway is showing signs of age, such as cracks and faded asphalt, you may be able to get by with resurfacing your driveway for a few years. If you know that the surface is already more than twenty-five years old, you will probably have to replace your driveway soon if it's showing signs of age. If you can repair cracks and resurface the driveway, you will help extend the life of your driveway.

When You Live in Areas with Temperature Extremes

If the weather in your area sees all four seasons, the life of your asphalt driveway isn't going to last as long as in moderate areas. Even the chemicals you use in the winter to reduce ice buildup can have an effect on your driveway. The ground below your driveway will expand when water below it gets frozen, it can swell from water and heat, and it can decrease in size from cold temperatures. This causes movement in your asphalt which causes cracks over time.

When you have cracks in your driveway, repairing these cracks will extend the life of your driveway and save you from more expensive replacement costs for a number of years. For assistance, talk to a professional like Central Paving & Sealcoating Inc.

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About Me

Hello, my name is Felicity Grant. Welcome to my website. I am here to tell you all about home remodels and renovations. When we bought our first house, it was the perfect size for us. As our family grew, however, we quickly found out that we needed more space. We worked with a team of contractors to create an addition on our house that expanded our living space by two-fold. I will explore this process in great detail to help others navigate their remodel with ease. Please feel free to visit my site daily to learn more about home renovations and remodels.